Hemp, Hemp, Hooray!
President Trump Signs 2018 Farm Bill Legalizing Industrial Hemp
News Release from Rep Cynthia Thielen, Dec 20, 2018
HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – Representative Cynthia Thielen (R – Kailua, Kaneohe Bay) celebrates the legalization of industrial hemp through the passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (H.R. 2), better known as the 2018 Farm Bill.
Twenty years ago, Hawaii led the nation by planting hemp seed in the Wahiawa hemp research project. Now, industrial hemp is legal across the nation as the President signs the Farm Bill into law today.
"This is a huge step forward for Hawaii's farmers. Farmers in Hawaii can celebrate the federal approval of a high-value, low-input crop that will reinvigorate Hawaii's agriculture," said Rep. Thielen.
"Pineapple and sugar are gone, but hemp is here. There are over 25,000 uses and products for hemp, none of which would get you high," said Rep. Thielen. "Legalization of industrial hemp through the 2018 Farm Bill will lead to widespread commercial cultivation without legal roadblocks."
The United States Hemp Industry grew to over $820 million in sales in 2017. Food, supplements, cosmetics, textiles, industrial applications, and many other industries are being revolutionized by the growing acceptance of industrial hemp.
Rep. Thielen concludes, "Industrial hemp is an entrepreneur's dream. It will generate considerable economic activity for Hawaii's farmers and save our agricultural lands from further development".
Rep. Thielen has been a leading advocate for industrial hemp legislation and sponsored a bill over 20 years ago to create Hawaii's first hemp research project, making Hawaii the first state to grow industrial hemp in over 50 years. Changes from the Farm Bill will allow hemp farmers to be eligible for the Federal Crop Insurance Program and provides hemp farmers legal access to banking services, insurance, and mainstream investment.
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“Hemp, Hemp, Hooray! Industrial Hemp Made Legal in Federal Farm Bill”
News Release from Rep Cynthia Thielen (R–Kailua, Kaneohe Bay)
HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – Representative Cynthia Thielen (R – Kailua, Kaneohe Bay) celebrates the forthcoming authorization of industrial hemp through the passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (H.R. 2), better known as the 2018 Farm Bill. The 2018 Farm Bill passed a vote in the Senate yesterday and is expected to pass out of the House later this week. The President has stated he will sign the legislation.
"This is a huge step forward for Hawaii's farmers. Now, farmers in Hawaii can celebrate the federal approval of a high-value, low-input crop that will reinvigorate Hawaii's agriculture," said Rep. Thielen.
"Pineapple and sugar are gone, but hemp is here. There are over 25,000 uses and products for hemp, none of which would get you high," said Rep. Thielen. "Legalization of industrial hemp through the 2018 Farm Bill will lead to widespread commercial cultivation without legal roadblocks."
The United States Hemp Industry grew to over $820 million in sales in 2017. Food, supplements, cosmetics, textiles, industrial applications, and many other industries are being revolutionized by the growing acceptance of industrial hemp.
Rep. Thielen concludes, "Industrial hemp is an entrepreneur's dream. It will generate considerable economic activity for Hawaii's farmers and save our agricultural lands from further development".
Rep. Thielen has been a leading advocate for industrial hemp legislation and sponsored a bill over 20 years ago to create Hawaii's first hemp research project, making Hawaii the first state to grow industrial hemp in over 50 years. Changes from the Farm Bill will allow hemp farmers to be eligible for the Federal Crop Insurance Program and provides hemp farmers legal access to banking services, insurance, and mainstream investment.
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KITV: One state lawmaker hopes hemp could be Hawaii's next most valuable crop